Mark 10

Jesus went back into the region of Judea and was teaching when some Pharisees approached. Instead of trying to learn from Jesus they were intent on trying to trap Him with His own words. They asked Jesus a question, and in typical Jesus fashion, He responded with a question of His own. And then Jesus trapped them in their words. Jesus used their answer to show that divorce was not a command from God or the will of Moses, but was a provision made because of the hardness of their own hearts, which are constantly rebelling against the will of God.

Then there's a story about Jesus's disciples not understanding Him again - He is blessing little children, and the disciples are trying to chase them away. Again the disciples are displaying the same hard heart that the Pharisees displayed toward them. Jesus taught them that we must all have the hearts, and faith of children - unhindered by the cares of the world, and full of awe and wonder about God and life.

Then a rich young man ran up to Jesus asking what he must do to be saved. The rich man was looking for a checklist that He could control and accomplish on his own. Jesus gave Him a checklist of six of the 10 commandments. His response was "check - already did those." Then there came the last one on the list - stop relying on yourself and come rely on Me. And the rich man could not bring himself to do that one. He could not give up control and surrender everything to Jesus, so he walked away in sorrow. But Jesus promised the disciples that everyone who gives up everything for Him will be rewarded 100 fold.

Then, on the way to Jerusalem, Jesus told the disciples that He would be killed again. This time the disciples didn't say anything. And this is when Mark records James and John - almost as if they're trying to change the subject - asking Jesus if they can be appointed to the highest positions in His government. Jesus says they will have to suffer as He will, and that the highest positions are not His to grant, but the Father's. And the rest of the disciples were not happy with their power play, but Jesus told them all that the greatest in the kingdom of heaven needs to be the servant of all. Even Jesus came to serve and give His life as a ransom for us.

And as they were about to leave Jericho for Jerusalem there was a blind beggar on the road crying out for Jesus. People were telling him to be quiet, but he would not stop. And Jesus heard him, called him, and healed him. And the man followed Jesus. We too must keep crying out for Jesus no matter who opposes us in doing so.